Val's room

Val's room is nearly finished. The green window shades I ordered came in yesterday, so we need to hang those. We need to get some necessities (diapers, etc.) Oh, and we need a baby. It's a very calming room, I think, and I like to sit in there and rock and read sometimes. We hope Val will like it until she's at least 4 and demands a pink princess room.

The shelves under the windows. Perfect for climbing and escaping!

The dresser now has a mirror over it.

Are the chair and ottoman ivory? Yes. Are we insane? Yes.

The birds are my favorite part of the room. Sock monkey is sitting in my childhood rocker.

We keep the door closed most of the time because of the naughty cat. He's thrilled when the door is open and he can go in and jump on everything.

Don't worry, baby safety police. We'll move everything that's a choking, strangulation, pull-on-top-of-her, etc., hazard when the time is right.

Braxton Hicks contractions

I just realized today that what I've been feeling occasionally are Braxton Hicks contractions. I kept thinking it was Val flipping around until I finally focused--Val is still, but my whole, big belly is tightening up. I hope they do their job and help "ripen my cervix."

33 weeks, 1 day appointment

On Friday I went in for an appointment with my regular OB, Dr. G. Everything was fine. I measured at 32 weeks. Dr. G said they don't stop labor after 34 weeks, so if I go into labor after Thursday, they'll let it continue. (I spoke to Val and told her that was not an invitation to arrive early.) Sweet LJ asked how involved he could be in the delivery. Dr. G was excited by his interest, but she said it really depended on who's on call that day. She said she'd talk to her colleagues and let them know a patient's husband wants to be in on actually helping deliver the baby.

This conversation with Dr. G came about after a discussion I had with Sweet LJ after our childbirth class. I asked him whether he would be interested in, for example, catching the baby as she came out. (I watch too much TLC and Discovery Health.) He was not. A few days later he told me he was, how cool would it be, etc. We'll see what really happens.

My BP: 124/64
Val's heart rate: 140s
Weight gain: +4, I think. I was flattered, because the nurse started the large weight slider at 100 lbs, then started moving the small slider. I told her she needed to start the large one at 150, but thanks.

Someone is deluding herself

Yesterday I bought a pair of jeans in my pre-pregnancy size at the Banana Republic outlet store because they were such a good deal (everything in the store was 50% off) and so cute. [sigh] I wistfully hung them in my closet last night next to the maternity clothes.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a peaceful and merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for 2009.

31 weeks, 1 day appointment

On Friday I had another doctor's appointment. I'm trying to see all of the doctors in the practice before I deliver, so I saw Dr. JH today. I really liked him. I won't be disappointed if he's on call on the big day.

My BP: 100/60
Val's heart rate: 130
Weight gain: +6. And still I gain like someone is paying me.

Dr. JH remarked that Val was "just chillin' in there." Based on our low BP's, I guess we were both very relaxed. I asked him what her position is, because some days it feels like she has woven her little feet in between my ribs. She was head down and sort of diagonal across my body. He said, "I can feel her hip bone right here," then he grabbed my hand and pressed down a few inches above my belly button. Sure enough, there was a big, hard lump. When I got home, she hadn't shifted, and Sweet LJ got to feel it, too.

Open letter to pants

Dear maternity jeans,
Could I hate you any more than I do? I submit I could not. You have a very wide, stretchy waistband. How can you not stay up? My belly is big, but aren't you designed to stay up even a little bit?

Please stop sliding down. I'm tired of having a saggy crotch and constantly having to pull you up. It's embarrassing.

Signed,
Hater

31 weeks

I don't know how I can get any bigger.

New dresser

Sweet LJ put together this large IKEA dresser for Val on Sunday. He should be in an IKEA furniture assembly contest, because I would bet that no one in the history of IKEA has ever put together a piece of IKEA furniture faster. He is a machine. I should've taken a picture of the pieces and hardware beforehand but didn't. There were about 1500 pieces, give or take. I helped by sorting the hardware, holding a few things, and making spaghetti for dinner.

It's so big that Sweet LJ probably can use half for his large wardrobe and/or we can return the crib and let Val sleep in a drawer.

A new hat

Sweet LJ couldn't resist picking this hat up for Val while he was at the SEC championship game a few weeks ago. So now Val's wardrobe consists of two hats and a chicken outfit.

Modeled by sock monkey

Baby dream

Last night I dreamed that Emily had a baby girl! Any news to share with us, Emily? :)

"Prepared Childbirth"

Apparently I was on hiatus last week. I really didn't have anything to report. I took the entire week off from running and ate approximately 6 lbs. of peanut M&Ms. I can only think that all the candy I eat will make Val sweeter. On Friday night, Sweet LJ and I went with cousins to see Santaland Diaries. Funny show! If you don't plan to travel to Atlanta to see the play, you should read it, and then read all the other David Sedaris books.

On Saturday Sweet LJ and I went to a class offered by our hospital called "Prepared Childbirth." We could've gone for like 4 Thursdays for 2 hours each night, but we opted for the day-long, one-shot that lasted from 9 AM - 4 PM. (It was supposed to last until 5 PM, but I guess you can only be so prepared.)

Nurse Tory led the class, which consisted of a few childbirth videos, a tour of the labor and delivery parts of the hospital, Nurse Tory telling us how things will really be, and massage techniques our coaches should use on us while we're in labor. Our hospital is in midtown, and I thought my classmates would be much funnier than they were, given our urban location. They were pretty normal, but there still were a few entertaining moments:

• The guy who asked how long it would take "her stomach to be flat again"
  
• The guy who asked whether the nurses "would take care of it" or was he responsible for cleaning up the lochia. I guess he was hoping Nurse Tory would go home with them after the birth.
  
• Nurse Tory telling us that stage two contractions would "give us the business"
• The guy who texted through about 50% of the class

My husband did not text during the class or ask when my stomach was going to be flat again, because he knows better. He probably wanted to know whether my snoring will stop once the baby is born, but he didn't ask that, either. I do feel more prepared; mainly because I've seen where everything will happen. I remain calm when I think about the birth process and curious as to how everything will go.

Thanks, Val!

Dear sweet baby Val,

Thank you so much for moving off my sciatic nerve. I've been pain-free for about 3 weeks, and it's been glorious! I owe you a special treat! The deal is off, however, if you pinch it again, so try to be a good girl.

Love you,
Mom

Georgians, don't forget to vote!

Go vote! The future of the Senate is in your hands!

I'm so sick of the Chambliss-Martin commercials on TV--Chambliss hates soldiers and wants them to die in battle! Martin hates children and wants them to be prostitutes!--but I'll miss the evening phone calls from our pals Hillary, Bill, Al, and Barack. Who was stumping for the candidates yesterday? Well, you betcha, Sarah Palin was all over Georgia with Chambliss, and apparently Ludacris, Young Jeezy, and T.I. were at the capitol with Martin.

I'm also ready for this runoff to be over, because then maybe the governor will decide how much money he wants to take back from higher education to cover the budget shortfall, and whether I'll get my 2% raise. (It's all about me.)

Sweet Memory Lane

Carrying it on...

Do you remember when? Here are the rules:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends or if you're a blog hopper who happens upon my blog regularly...leave me a comment. There must be reason you keep stopping by! Say something! If you don't have a blog or don't know how to sign in, sign up for an account! You won't regret it!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog (if you have one) and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you. . . either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last Thanksgiving I ran a half marathon then cooked and hosted dinner for 8. This year I ran about 3 miles around the neighborhood, and then Sweet LJ and I went to Chateau Elan, where their chefs whipped up a lovely Thanksgiving feast for us.

We took our bikes and went on about a 1.5-hour bike ride when we got there. The hotel guy gave us a map and suggested a route that would take us around the grounds. The map was terrible and apparently the hotel guy never has ridden a bike around the Chateau Elan property. We went through several golf course neighborhoods, which were lovely, but filled with cul-de-sacs and locked gates. Eventually we made it back towards the inn and found this:

A four-story climbing wall. I wanted Sweet LJ to climb, but we noticed it was all locked up. I guessed it was a team-building ropes course, and I was right! Some kind of corporate team-building center. It wasn't just the climbing wall but a bunch of ropes courses in the trees and platforms, with signs along the way like this:

This one made me laugh. We needed this earlier when we had to turn around on yet another cul-de-sac.

Sweet LJ thought it was appropriate for me to pose with this one.

We made it back, tired and hungry, and checked in about an hour before our dinner reservation.

Before dinner, hungry and ready to eat. Thanks to my wonderful friend Kerri for sending me this dress!

After dinner looking tired from going through the buffet line too many times. Did I mention this was a huge buffet with everything you can imagine? Turkey, prime rib, dressing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, butternut squash ravioli, caviar, crab legs, smoked salmon, and then the dessert table . . . Forget eating for 2. I ate for 4 or 5.

Friday morning we hiked on the nature trail around the property. It was cloudy and a little foggy, but beautiful.
The vineyards are right at the front of the property, which was very cool. After promising myself I wouldn't eat again for at least 4 days, we went to the breakfast buffet after the hike, and I ate. A lot. Again.

We stopped by the Mall of Georgia on the way back home so Sweet LJ could get a new Florida shirt to wear to the SEC championship game next Saturday. There were times I feared for my life--will I get trampled by the Abercrombie kids trying to make the last 15 minutes of the 25% off sale?--but we made it out safely. I even bought a few Christmas gifts.

We had such a wonderful trip. Thank you so much, my sweetest LJ! I'm so thankful to have you in my life and that soon we'll have a sweet little girl join our family.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday filled with peace, happiness, and thanksgiving.

27 weeks, 5 days appointment

My BP: 100/70
Weight gain: +6. I am a weight-gaining machine!
Val's heart rate: in the 140's

Really, I have nothing much to report. Everything was fine. Dr. H was happy with my glucose results and last week's ultrasound. I asked her whether the doctors in the practice (I go to a group practice) have a shared philosophy regarding labor and delivery. She said no, but that everyone is fairly laid back and will communicate nicely with me. No one will rush me or pressure me into anything (pitocin, epidural, etc.) as long as everything is going well. I really like Dr. H and will be thrilled if she's on call when I deliver. I know I need to meet all the doctors in the practice, though, so my next appointment is with another Dr. H.

Morning conversation

Sweet LJ: I should warn you that on Friday on our way back from Chateau Elan, I need to stop by the Mall of Georgia. I know it's Black Friday. I just need to stop by a few stores.

Me: The Mall of Georgia? On Black Friday? Are you [gigantic, echoing, unexpected belch]...

Sweet LJ: [huge, belly-grabbing laughter]

Me: Sorry. No warning.

Ahh, pregnancy gas: What's more entertaining?

Chicken suit

Two Thursdays ago after dining out, Sweet LJ and I took advantage of Decatur's Terrific Thursdays, because really, there's nothing more fun than going in cool shops and drinking free wine out of small plastic cups (if you're not pregnant!) LJ picked out this darling outfit for our girl, and we bought a nice Christmas surprise for our niece Georgia at Hoopla. I like how the outfit is subtly Gamecocky.

Baby hiccups

make me laugh

26 weeks, 4 days ultrasound

Yesterday was the follow-up ultrasound to check on the kidney problem detected in the first ultrasound. The problem is pyelectasis, a dilation of one or both kidneys due to too much accumulated fluid. There are numerous possible causes--none of which are preventable--and there is no in-utero treatment. They monitor the size of the kidneys throughout the pregnancy to keep track of whether the condition is getting worse or better.

Her kidneys looked really good! One has gotten smaller and has a normal measurement now, and the other one is the same size as last time--no change, but at least it hasn't enlarged. I can't explain how relieved and peaceful I feel. Part of my relief came from the wonderful perinatologist we saw today. She was much more reassuring than the last one.

Other stats:
Heart rate: 142
Estimated weight: 2 lbs, 6 oz
Other measurements: all normal
Interesting tidbits: We got to see her yawning, waving her arms around, and a nice shot of her femur.

Looks like a sweet little smile to me.

Sorry for the crooked scans. I didn't feel like scanning them again.

Yoga

Yesterday was my first pregnancy yoga class. There were 8 students, and everyone was between 24-31 weeks, I think. I thought it would be mostly relaxation techniques, gentle stretching, and deep breathing. It wasn't; in fact, it was pretty challenging. We did all the usual stuff, minus inverted poses like plow and bridge. There was lots of down dog and warrior II. The instructor, a very cute, small woman named Tran, explained how each pose would help us pregnant ladies. After savasana, she gave us a little pep talk after about how we were already good mothers because we were exercising. Aw...thanks, Tran!

Product review: The Mother-to-Be Maternity Support

In case anyone ever is in the market for a belly band/bra, I decided to write up what I think about the Mother-to-Be Maternity Support I ordered. What I read about it suggested that it might relieve some sciatic nerve pain and pressure on my bladder. I mainly got it to wear when I run.

It arrived in 4 pieces, and I actually had to read the instructions to figure out what to velcro together. There is an under-belly brace that hooks around you with its own velcro strap, a back brace that hooks to the belly brace, and an optional over-the-belly strap for "maximum stability." The day it arrived I wore it to walk the dog. The instructions say that if you want super-deluxe support, then you should lie down on your back and make the back brace tighter. I did this, and about halfway through the walk I thought I was going to pass out. Too tight. Sweet LJ also said I was walking slightly sideways, but that might have been unrelated to the M-t-B.

Today I ran in it for the first time, and I liked it.

Is it attractive? No, it is very unattractive. I wore a shirt over it so no one could see it. It looks just like the photo.

Would I wear it in summer? No way. Nothing about this item is breathable. In fact, all I could think about while running is that if it were summer, I would be one gigantic chafe after wearing the M-t-B, even with a shirt under it.

Did it move around? No. I was worried it would ride up, but it stayed put. This might have been because I wore a shirt under it.

Did it relieve pressure on my bladder? I think it really did help. I didn't get that desperate feeling 15 minutes into my run like I usually do.

Are my sides sore? Lately, my sides sometimes are sore from running, but today they aren't. Coincidence?

Did I wear the optional velcro strap? No, but I might need maximum stability later on.

Does my butt hurt? No, and usually by this time of day it does. Another coincidence?

I'll keep wearing it and see how it goes.

11/17/08 Update: I ran in it this morning, and I still like it!

whoa

I just realized I'm in the double digits now--only 97 days to go. I knew I was knocking on 3rd tri's door, but under 100 days already?

Bedside table

Not mine, but Sweet LJ's. One of us is going to be very prepared, and one of us will rely on her wits and instinct (and husband who has read all the books).

Glucose challenge test

I forgot to post about the results of my glucose challenge test, and I'm sure some of you were simply dying to know the results. I passed. My score was 88, and I think anything over 180 means you have to take the 3-hour test. I did not gorge on candy to celebrate, but it was nice knowing that I could if I wanted to.

More questions people like to ask pregnant women

Continued from Part 1

1. How are you feeling?


2. How much weight have you gained?


3. Have you picked out a name?


4. Are you pregnant/are you expecting/is that a bump?


5. Random rhetorical question followed by, "you just wait." For example:
   
   • You think you're tired now? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think you'll be going out after the baby is born? You just wait.
   
   
   • You're not buying a _____? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think you'll have time to _____? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think finding a babysitter is easy? You just wait.
   
   

My responses:

1. I feel GREAT. Every time someone asks, that's what I say.


2. How much weight have YOU gained?


3. Yes, but we're keeping it a secret. Sometimes I feel guilty not telling, so I say, "we're still thinking about it."


4. A bold question!


5. I just smile and nod and wonder whether the children of these people can sense their parents' resentment.

Sunday bike ride

To Starbucks and a walk around Decatur's shops


I haven't ridden in weeks (maybe months?) and it was tough. Before we left, Sweet LJ let me know he was putting extra air in my tires to compensate, you know, for the extra weight. He's so funny!

Val's second race

To help motivate me to run more regularly, I decided to sign up for the Run for Justice 5K not far from my house. It started at 9 AM, and the weather was gorgeous. I wasn't feeling too optimistic about my time, and I told Sweet LJ to look for me to come in no later than 40 minutes. The course route was well-marked, but the miles weren't. At about 15 minutes and no 1-mile marker, I was either running much slower than I thought or I'd missed a mile marker. Soon I saw the 2-mile marker, then before I knew it the race was over. I haven't run a 5K in awhile, and I forgot how short they are (3.1 miles). Anyway, I finished in 31:10, and I was proud of my 10-minute miles at almost 6 months pregnant. I told the people at the time table that they should have a pregnant ladies category. They had, of course, age-group awards, and at this race they also had first stroller and first dog. (This was a rare race that allowed dogs and strollers.) Alas, no prize but still a good time.

Waiting to start

Maybe I should've stood by the "female" sign

My fans

25 weeks, 2 days

Thank you

Wow--thanks, everyone, for all the great baby gear recommendations. I really appreciate the input. What a great little network!

Val will know a better USA

I won't prattle on about the outcome of the 2008 presidential election, but I will say I'm pleased that Val will be born during what I believe will be an era of improvement for America that will make it a respected world power once again. I feel peaceful and hopeful.

[sigh]

Today someone told me my face looked fat. Oh, she also told me I looked tired. Thanks! I feel so pretty now.

Girl clothes are so cute!

My neighbor Shawne received some girl clothes from a friend of hers, but she found out recently that she's having a boy. She generously passed on a few girl outfits to me. Sweet LJ likes the flamingo suit, but I love the sack sleeper with the matching hat.

Val went to her polling place

I voted today and hope you did, too.

Necessities?

As we s-l-o-w-l-y buy other things for Val, what is number one on your baby necessity list? What, looking back, was a waste and what was a lifesaver?

Sciatica

Well, for all you ladies who were cursing me because I haven't been sick or anything, my good fortune is running out. For about 3 weeks I've experienced some bad pain in my left hip area. It's usually on the weekends when I tend to do more--longer runs, more standing, raking, vacuuming, slaving over a hot stove, whatever. Last night was particularly bad. I think Val is killing my sciatic nerve. In reading about it, I found out the sciatic nerve is as thick as your thumb and runs "deep within the buttocks." And, technically, my pain is deep within my left buttock. (I was trying to be diplomatic when I euphemistically wrote "left hip area" before.) I hope it goes away when Val is born, because people get nervous when I announce that my butt really hurts.

Val has a place to sleep

Sweet LJ became a little concerned last week when he realized we'd bought nothing for the baby. So, on No TV Wednesday we went shopping and bought a crib we'd looked at a couple of times. We bought a mattress on Saturday, and Sweet LJ put the crib together today. Even though the instructions were "squirrelly" and "not entirely complete," he had no trouble because he's so clever. I made vegetable soup and ate snacks while he worked.









It holds the super deluxe mattress very nicely, and I'm certain it will entice Val to sleep through the night immediately.

Happy birthday, Lilly!

We had a wonderful time at your party and look forward to many more celebrations with you!

Running

My motivation to keep running is waning by the day. It was 38 degrees this morning, which didn't help get me out the door (but I did). I think I'm losing motivation because it's a little depressing to run. I'm a little more uncomfortable every day. I'm a little slower every day. I feel like I have to pee 3 minutes after I start.

I haven't run a race since the Peachtree, so I think I'll sign up for a few to keep me motivated during the week. I need some new shoes, too, so that will get me excited for about 2 runs. I might get one of these, because sometimes my sides feel sore. Val is eating too much Halloween candy and getting chubby! Please let me know if you've ever used a belly bra or band and whether you liked it.

I really want to keep moving.

23 weeks, 4 days appointment

My BP: 110/70
Val's heart rate: 140s
Weight gain: +5, I think, but I can't remember what is was last time and didn't want to ask.

Val squirmed away from the Doppler every time the doctor tried to find her heart beat. It took a few minutes for Dr. H to get a steady sound. Go, Val! I measured exactly according to my due date. After a brief chat about what happened at the ultrasound, Dr. H went ahead and ordered the gestational diabetes test, since I was so close to 24 weeks, anyway. (They like to do it between 24-28 weeks.) I drank the orange liquid and an hour later, Innocent, the lab tech, drew my blood. You might think Innocent was female, but he was male and very inquisitive. Was I hungry? Why was I tired? Did I take a walk last night? Was I cold? Will I go home and go to sleep?

Anyway, the lab results should be ready in a few days. The orange drink didn't make me gag or vomit or shake or anything, like I've heard will happen. It tasted like flat orange soda with a weird burning, tingly aftertaste.

If I have gestational diabetes, it will be rough getting off the Twix cold turkey.

23 weeks

It's been a quiet weekend. Val and I went to some friends' annual pumpkin carving party last night. I didn't carve, just ate. Sweet LJ is down and out with a terrible cold. I'm bleaching everything he touches, so hopefully I'll stay well.

What I like about being pregnant

• loose, stretchy clothing


• 9 months of no litter box duty. Jackpot!


• how excited people are when they find out I'm pregnant, even people I barely know


• how nice people are when they find out I'm pregnant


• having a built-in excuse for running slowly


• Sweet LJ reading books to my belly


• feeling Val move


• thinking ahead 1 year, 5 years, 10 years...


• daydreaming about what Val will look like

What I miss while being pregnant

• wine


• pockets. Why can't maternity pants have pockets?


• running fast(er than I can now)


• my collection of fall/winter non-maternity skirts


• taking a huge, deep breath


• street drugs*

*just kidding

Pink and Blue Party!

We've been sitting on Val's sex information for 2 weeks (!!!), because we decided to host a pink and blue party to make the big announcement. Guests were asked to wear pink if they thought we were having a girl, and blue if they thought we were having a boy. Here's the breakdown:

Grandpa: pink shirt and blue jeans. He couldn't decide.

Biffy: pink, but also non-committal

Nell: blue

Gail: pink

Coqui: pink and blue

No photos of--
Jan: blue
Bruce: blue
Andrew: blue
Sweet LJ: pink and blue stripes, but only because he didn't have a pink shirt
Me: ivory. I didn't feel like buying pink or blue.

Coqui finally took off one of his bandanas, and Sweet LJ made the big announcement.

It's a girl!

So, readers and friends out there, only Sweet LJ, Anne Wimberly, and Robert guessed correctly.

Jan and Bruce brought Val a sock monkey, which she will love, and guests were treated to bags of pink candy (not easy to find this time of year).

We feel so blessed to have a sweet girl on the way (but we would have felt blessed either way, of course!) This baby is already so loved that I cry just thinking about her sometimes.

Val presented at a conference

Val accompanied me to the Georgia Council of Media Organizations Conference today and gave a few presentations. The presentations were well-received, and I give Val all the credit for staying calm and feeding me several good jokes.

Maybe this experience will help Val with promotion to Assistant Professor.

Val's first photos

20 weeks, 4 days


(above) Profile shot with head on the left, big round belly on the right, and little arm and hand by the face. You can see the heart nicely in this one (the black spot in the chest).


Cute face!

Awww

Sweet LJ felt Val kick (or punch) for the first time Saturday afternoon. Twice! He was very excited, and I think now he believes me that the baby is moving.

21 Weeks and The Big U

We had the big ultrasound recently, and everything looked good: A heart with 4 chambers (the doctor said it was a "beautiful heart"), liver, spine, 2 arms, 2 legs, "perfect nose and mouth" (so said the doctor--no clefts), fingers, toes, and 2 kidneys. Val was pretty still the whole time--just cool, hanging out. I'll post the images as soon as I scan them. It was thrilling getting to watch our amazing baby. And we know whether Val is a boy or a girl, but we're waiting a little longer to make the announcement. I'm not trying to torture you; we have a family party planned and are waiting until then.

There were two issues, but one is sort of a non-issue now. The perinatologist asked me the date of my LMP to confirm my due date, and I got confused and told her 5 days earlier than I told my OB long ago at my first visit. (Why they couldn't just call the OB's office down the hall to verify, I don't know.) Anyway, this threw Dr. F all off, because Val--based on my 5-days-earlier estimate--was measuring HUGE: 97th percentile. I explained I was confused and told them the real date, which put Val back on track and healthy but not huge: 79th percentile. This didn't really appease Dr. F, and she's telling the OB that they need to do the gestational diabetes test at my next appointment, which they weren't planning to do until next month. She's worried about the baby being so big (but Val's not, really, so this is the non-issue).

The other issue is that Val might have a minor kidney problem. This could also be a non-issue, and I'll post more once we find out more. If you are a prayerful type, please send one up for Val.

btw, we're not really naming the baby Valdosta. Someone asked that.

Thanks, Julia and Sara for the fun lunch today.

woot!

How cute is this hat?My library dean gave it to me yesterday. She'd knitted three for a library conference raffle, and I had my choice of blue, orange, or yellow. I wanted them all! I thought about orange but then got scared someone would call my baby Pumpkin Head. Val is going to love this hat, and I will kill anyone who makes a Squash Head reference.

It almost makes me want to learn to knit...or maybe I should say, it almost makes me want to think about learning how to knit. I get sleepy just thinking about knitting. Who can sit still for that long?

In case you're wondering, Coqui did not like wearing the hat.

Val won't pick up any parasites

Not from the kitchen counters, at least. I got new countertops! I know you're shedding a tear of joy with me. So. Happy.

A glimpse of the old countertop and sink. The backsplash already had been torn out, in case you're wondering.

Hooray! Sweet LJ tiled the new backplash.

Naughty cat.

Movement

As I have mentioned twice before, I'm eagerly awaiting feeling Val move. I haven't been very good about reading, talking, or playing music to Val, so today (while at work) I put my iPod earbuds on my belly and turned it up. There was dancing! Some taps and what felt like flips. Val liked:

• David Gray
• Sister Sledge
• Dido

Did not much care for:

• Train
• Ray LaMontagne
• Footloose (I feel that I should explain that this is on my iPod because of the family dance contest, which could be its own blog. And perhaps it should be...)

It was so thrilling. Luckily no one walked in my office and asked why there were wires coming out from under my shirt.

20 weeks

Today marks the halfway point. I still feel great. I'm still running 3-4 days a week and usually cycling 1. I sleep very well, and I'm not nearly as tired as I was. I might have felt baby flutters yesterday, but I'm very unsure. It might have been my belly welcoming the oatmeal.

Our big ultrasound appointment is scheduled, and Sweet LJ hasn't wavered in his belief it's a girl. I don't have any feeling about it at all. I'm very curious and excited and quite nervous about finding out whether everything's ok. We decided to give ourselves a few days to get used to him/her before we tell everyone, but we'll certainly spread the news soon.

So, what do you think? Girl or boy?

No TV Wednesday

Last night in observance of No TV Wednesday*, we went for a walk in a nearby park. Coqui was beside himself to walk somewhere besides our neighborhood. The weather is unbelievably gorgeous right now. The past 2 weeks have made me decide fall is my favorite season. Practice was breaking up for lots of baseball teams and the playground was crowded, and I think both Sweet LJ and I were watching the kids more than usual. (Hopefully, no one thought we were creepy.)

*We watch a lot of tv, so probably a year ago we started No TV Wednesday. Wednesday night=no tv. We cheat sometimes.

My boys. Coqui is shooting lasers at me from his eyes.